No plans for Irish Daily Mail

Martin Clarke, the new editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers Ireland, has rebuffed suggestions that he plans to use the newly acquired Ireland on Sunday as a launch pad for an Irish Daily Mail.

"If we'd wanted to produce an Irish Mail on Sunday or Daily Mail, there would have been cheaper and easier ways to do it," he said today.

"Ireland is a thriving newspaper market, and we looked around for a while for a market to invest in.

"Ireland on Sunday hasn't had the backing it needs," he added. "Being part of Associated Newspapers gives it access to a network of editorial contacts and an infrastructure that operates around the world."

"It will make covering the pan-national, showbiz and celebrity stories easier."

Asked about his plans for the paper, Mr Clarke kept his cards close to his chest. "The staff are very realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of the paper," he said.